I am an avid train traveler, traveling solo is made so much easier. I cannot believe that people choose to fly instead of traveling by train. Obviously, there are times when flying is appropriate, like New Zealand to anywhere! Train travel has many benefits for both solo travel and family travel that you will not get when flying. The story of a friend’s recent flight totally boxed in by a large and inconsiderate traveler who would not put his airline seat in the upright position, despite frequent requests by staff, created what must have been a nightmare trip.
- Comfort would have to be the number one reason for preferring train travel and I imagine that would be true for a lot of people and families. Children are not restricted to sitting still for hours on end, and its fun to go walk about on a train with Mum or Dad. The seats generally have good legroom and room to easily get up from the seats. Usually the seats are set in a two by two configuration that allows easy access to and from seats, even for those sitting next to the window. Train seats themselves vary according to the country and class of train travel. From wooden bench seats in developing countries to the luxuriously appointed seats found in first class carriages. Today in some trains, the addition of screens with movies, music and other things, mimic airlines as well.
- Time involving travel affects us all, which is one of the reasons flying is popular, is the perception that it is fast. However, how many people stand back from their flight and ponder the following questions. How long must I be at the airport before my flight? Where will I park my car? Can I persuade a family member to drop me at the airport? How far do I have to travel to get to the airport? How long to go through security? These all involve manipulating time available in a stressful day. So often trains are available in the centre of a city, and are easily reached by public transport for not only departure, but also arrival in the centre of the destination city. The “Ghan” train station in Australia was unfortunately outside of Darwin and we did require transport into the city. Certainly, in Europe it is a city-to-city ride. If you have been wise in the choice of hotels, they are also conveniently reached from train stations.
- Baggage is fast becoming an issue with airlines, whether it is number of suitcases or the weight of them. The airlines reduce fares then add on bag fees dependent on the number of bags you are carrying. Cabin luggage is restricted, and those passengers with children are very limited to what they can take aboard. Train travel allows bags, although weight can be a problem if porters are handling them, but parents have the luxury of being able to take child necessities into the carriage. Times are changing in that security is considerably tighter today even at train stations, but not as high tech as airline travel.
- Make savings on train travel because you can tailor your trip to your needs. Fares on trains are stable in nature and you do not have to waste time comparing a dozen train firms to get the best price. Searching and booking ahead of your travel dates can net some very good deals in train fares. There are low season choices as well like the airlines. You must consider the costs of parking and traveling to an airport as well as time spent there. The inevitable coffee and food costs are astronomical at airports. The unseen savings are the conservation of the environment, as trains are more energy efficient than the airlines.
- Last but by no means least; in fact, I think watching scenery from a train is one of life’s little pleasures. You get the thrill of seeing foreign countries, and a peek into the homes and lives of their inhabitants as you flash by on a train. Achieving speeds of up to 300 kmph on some of the European trains makes for fast trips. You see nothing of the people and places from 35,000 feet in the air. In my opinion, a missed opportunity in appreciating what the world has to offer.
- The top website for travelling by train is www.seat61.com
Trans Siberian stop
